This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every persons position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the FAQ and RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate and remove the ads - it's free!

US Man Shot Pakistan Pair "In Cold Blood"

I read about this a few days ago, but then, reading this story something didn't sound kosher. It's this bit...

It is not clear what Mr Davis's role in Lahore was - American officials in the capital Islamabad have said only that he was an US embassy employee who was part of the "administrative and technical staff".

The Associated Press news agency says Pentagon records show that Mr Davis is a former Special Forces soldier who left the army in 2003 after 10 years of service.

So, reading between the lines, he was a spy, right? Or wrong? Can anyone else decipher the coded language in this story?

"The crisis will end when fear changes sides" - Pablo Iglesias Turrión

"Austerity is used as a cover to reconfigure society and increase inequality and injustice." - Jeremy Corbyn

Re: US Man Shot Pakistan Pair "In Cold Blood"

I read about this a few days ago, but then, reading this story something didn't sound kosher. It's this bit...

So, reading between the lines, he was a spy, right? Or wrong? Can anyone else decipher the coded language in this story?

From the link:

It is not clear what Mr Davis's role in Lahore was - American officials in the capital Islamabad have said only that he was an US embassy employee who was part of the "administrative and technical staff".

I don't understand why you would believe he's a spy....? Just because he is a former Special Forces soldier doesn't speak to his being a spy. Personally, I think it would be very unusual for the United States to employ someone in their embassy who was a spy. I'm just guessing that if that were the case, we'd be violating some agreements that embassy staff specifically not be engaged in espionage.

Here's what I'm looking for:

The Vienna Convention, specifically under Art. 41 requires that foreign Embassies, “respect the laws and regulations of the receiving State and not interfere in the internal affairs of the receiving State.”

Re: US Man Shot Pakistan Pair "In Cold Blood"

Originally Posted by MaggieD

I don't understand why you would believe he's a spy....? Just because he is a former Special Forces soldier doesn't speak to his being a spy. Personally, I think it would be very unusual for the United States to employ someone in their embassy who was a spy. I'm just guessing that if that were the case, we'd be violating some agreements that embassy staff specifically not be engaged in espionage.

Well, I guessed he might be a spy because the embassy failed to explain what he actually did do. It's a bit naive to doubt that embassies (of whatever nation) will have employees whose main occupation is to gather information and perhaps involve themselves in undercover, perhaps seditious, activities. I'm not saying this guy is just such an employee, that's why I started the thread, to ask whether others believed this might be the case.

"The crisis will end when fear changes sides" - Pablo Iglesias Turrión

"Austerity is used as a cover to reconfigure society and increase inequality and injustice." - Jeremy Corbyn

Re: US Man Shot Pakistan Pair "In Cold Blood"

Such a typical title to a BBC article. Instead of using any semblance of ethical journalistic standards, they attempt to influence point of view. Also typical, I'm sure, is the way British public will gobble it up without a clue as to how they are being influenced.

The way the title SHOULD have read if the BBC had any journalistic ethics would be "U.S. Man shot Pakistani Pair". By adding "In cold blood", the BBC is attempting to prejudice its readers towards views sympathetic to the two armed Pakistanis.

Re: US Man Shot Pakistan Pair "In Cold Blood"

Originally Posted by Andalublue

Well, I guessed he might be a spy because the embassy failed to explain what he actually did do. It's a bit naive to doubt that embassies (of whatever nation) will have employees whose main occupation is to gather information and perhaps involve themselves in undercover, perhaps seditious, activities. I'm not saying this guy is just such an employee, that's why I started the thread, to ask whether others believed this might be the case.

Well, after Googling, I think your suspicions are warranted:

EspionageMinor espionage activity, or gathering information of host countries is conducted in almost every embassy. A typical position for an intelligence officer is as second press attaché, visa attaché or other position with no clear responsibilities. In the United States, it is a policy of the Foreign Service not to confirm or deny the existence of intelligence personnel in U.S. embassies.

Re: US Man Shot Pakistan Pair "In Cold Blood"

Originally Posted by Gardener

Such a typical title to a BBC article. Instead of using any semblance of ethical journalistic standards, they attempt to influence point of view. Also typical, I'm sure, is the way British public will gobble it up without a clue as to how they are being influenced.

The way the title SHOULD have read if the BBC had any journalistic ethics would be "U.S. Man shot Pakistani Pair". By adding "In cold blood", the BBC is attempting to prejudice its readers towards views sympathetic to the two armed Pakistanis.

Do you have proof he wasn't one of the Lizard People?

So follow me into the desert
As desperate as you are
Where the moon is glued to a picture of heaven
And all the little pigs have God

Re: US Man Shot Pakistan Pair "In Cold Blood"

Originally Posted by Gardener

Such a typical title to a BBC article. Instead of using any semblance of ethical journalistic standards, they attempt to influence point of view. Also typical, I'm sure, is the way British public will gobble it up without a clue as to how they are being influenced.

The way the title SHOULD have read if the BBC had any journalistic ethics would be "U.S. Man shot Pakistani Pair". By adding "In cold blood", the BBC is attempting to prejudice its readers towards views sympathetic to the two armed Pakistanis.

How predictable! Gardener, have you even read the article? It was given the headline because the "in cold blood" claim was the subject. It was not reporting the shooting. It had done that days previously with this article...US Official Kills Two Pakistanis In Lahore
The raison d'etre of this article is the claim that it was not a case of self-defence. As you read it, of course, it becomes yet another opportunity to demonstrate your anti-British xenophobia.

"The crisis will end when fear changes sides" - Pablo Iglesias Turrión

"Austerity is used as a cover to reconfigure society and increase inequality and injustice." - Jeremy Corbyn

Re: US Man Shot Pakistan Pair "In Cold Blood"

Originally Posted by Andalublue

How predictable! Gardener, have you even read the article? It was given the headline because the "in cold blood" claim was the subject. It was not reporting the shooting. It had done that days previously with this article...US Official Kills Two Pakistanis In Lahore
The raison d'etre of this article is the claim that it was not a case of self-defence. As you read it, of course, it becomes yet another opportunity to demonstrate your anti-British xenophobia.

I did read the article. Have you ever taken any classes in Journalism?

If you had, you would realize that the words "in cold blood" are so incredibly loaded with prejudice that they should never appear in an undcredited headline like that. Instead, the headline should have been stated in terms of the Pakistani official questioning the account of the shooting.

I'm sure it is easier for you to attack me here rather than think about the implications of that headline, but as far as "predictable" is concerned, you might want to check your own attitudes regarding the way you attack me for my "anti-British Xenophobia" when my criticism was directed at the BBC.

Re: US Man Shot Pakistan Pair "In Cold Blood"

Who ever this hand is, we won't him back...bad.

Pakistani officials said President Obama's national security advisor summoned Pakistan's ambassador to the White House Monday evening to deliver a threat from the president: Release Raymond Davis, an American being held in Lahore for killing two Pakistanis, or face the consequences.

So there is absolutely no evidence this woman, whom you called a slut, did this but you are ready to take someone's word as evidence. Guess you don't think witch hunts have to end when it's going after the certain people.